Hello Roy,
I have seen them weigh down grass stems to eat the seeds. I have noticed that Goldfinches perch on branches, twigs, stems on an angle rather than horizontal, and they use the higher foot as a hand to secure seeds as they eat. They even do this with seeds from the feeder, having taken them to a slanting perch and holding the seed to the branch with one foot as they eat.
Re Goldfinches and dandelions, soon after purchasing our house in Weybridge we drove by on a spring afternoon and saw the newly green yard filled with dandelions. Then suddenly half of the dandelions took off into the air - Goldfinches! We still talk about that vision.
Barbara B.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vermont Birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Roy Pilcher
Sent: Monday, May 30, 2016 8:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VTBIRD] Goldfinch and Dandelions! West Rutland Marsh IBA, May 30, 2016
Following up on previous observations of goldfinch behavior. Note image.
Cheers, Roy Pilcher
-----Original Message-----
From: ebird-checklist <[log in to unmask]>
To: shamwariVT <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Mon, May 30, 2016 7:56 pm
Subject: eBird Report - West Rutland Marsh IBA, May 30, 2016
West Rutland Marsh IBA, Rutland, Vermont, US May 30, 2016 8:15 AM - 9:45 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Replenishing feeders at kiosk.. All observations made from boardwalk.
27 species
Canada Goose 3
Wood Duck 1
American Bittern 1 In flight.
Virginia Rail 1 Calling. May have been two.
Wilson's Snipe 1 Yakking!
Mourning Dove 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Willow Flycatcher 1 Also tape recorded singing.
Eastern Kingbird 2
Warbling Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Barn Swallow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 2
House Wren 1
Marsh Wren 3
Veery 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Yellow Warbler 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Swamp Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 4 Eating dandelion seeds having first weighed down the stalk to the ground.
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29998722
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/vt)
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